Partner Headcount Up 22% in Manchester, Outpacing London

Across the UK’s Lawyer UK 100 and Global 200 regional markets, the North West stands out as a region on the rise - and Manchester is leading the way. Partner headcount in the city has climbed by almost 22% since October 2022, making it the second fastest-growing legal city in the country, just behind Edinburgh. For a market of over 1,000 Partners, that level of growth is striking - especially when compared to London’s 14% increase over the same period.

Liverpool’s growth has been steadier at 13% - and despite having the smallest Partner base among the major cities, it’s expanding at a pace similar to Leeds and slightly ahead of Birmingham. Together, the two North West cities paint a picture of a region that’s still on the rise - with Manchester not just growing, but consolidating its role as the main legal hub outside London.

PE-Backed Firms Growing Faster Than Homegrown Rivals

Private-equity backed firms are now some of the fastest-growing players in the UK, as reported in Hazelwoods' recent analysis. In the North West particularly, this trend is more prominent: PE-backed firms have an average growth rate of 57%, compared with 23% for homegrown non-PE firms.

Express Solicitors (+80%) and Horwich Farrelly (+83%) sit among the region’s fastest risers since 2022, outpacing almost every traditional firm in Manchester and Liverpool. They’re followed by other PE-backed firms: Slater Heelis (+50%), Farleys Solicitors (+43%), and Keoghs (+28%), all of which have rapidly scaled over the past three years.

Long-established regional Lawyer UK 100 firms are also growing, but more steadily. JMW (+23%), Irwin Mitchell (+30%), Weightmans (+21%), and Brabners (+18%) continue to expand but not at the same speed as their PE-backed competitors. Private-equity involvement is driving some of the most aggressive growth in the North West, further intensifying competition for talent and market share.

More Office Expansions, Openings, and Partner Growth

Over the past three years, Manchester has seen a wave of new entrants and expanding firms that signal its pull as the legal capital of the North. Express Solicitors and Horwich Farrelly have led local growth, with Partner numbers up 81% and 92% respectively since 2022. 

Among established nationals, growth has also been steady too - DAC Beachcroft has added 13, Weightmans 12, and Hill Dickinson 9 Partners in the city.

That momentum has drawn in new players. Hugh James entered Manchester through its 2022 acquisition of Potter Rees Dolan, while Lewis Silkin opened its office the same year. Since 2023, Foot Anstey, Aberdein Considine, Keystone Law, and Harrison Drury have all launched offices, adding further competition to a growing market.

Liverpool, meanwhile, hasn’t seen the same level of new arrivals but has been busy expanding its existing base. Irwin Mitchell, which opened its office there in 2022, is already moving to a larger space. Napthens and DWF have also invested in new or refurbished offices.

Region’s Economic Plans Driving Practice Growth

Growth in Manchester has been led by a rise in Private Client work, which is up 86% since 2022 - driven primarily by JMW and Irwin Mitchell. Employment (+34%) and Insurance (+24%) have also seen strong gains, likely tied to the region’s presence of big national insurers. 

In Liverpool, Corporate work shows the most significant spike - up 39%, the fastest rate in the city. This aligns with the region’s major economic initiatives: the Liverpool City Region’s 10-year growth blueprint, which places a strong focus on professional services and corporate investment, and the city centre’s 51% surge in business earnings, directing towards an influx of transactional work.

Lateral Partner Hiring Up 84% from 2022 to 2024

Lateral hiring has increased consistently in the North West. Partner hires rose by 20% from 2022 to 2023, then jumped 53% from 2023 to 2024, resulting in an overall 84% increase over the three-year period. 

The top firms making lateral hires- JMW, Horwich Farrelly, Weightmans, and Express Solicitors- are also the fastest-growing firms in the region, showing how  lateral recruitment is closely tied to the overall expansion of these North West firms.

Partner Promotions Matching the Hiring Trend

Partner promotions have also increased by 81% over the three-year period. While slightly lower in absolute numbers than lateral hires, the annual growth in promotions mirrors the trend seen in lateral recruitment.